Eighth of seven's definitions

redlining

Running a piece of equipment, most often an engine or other powerplant, way beyond it's rated maximum, usually in an emergency situation.

Usually, denoted by taking the engine revs or temperature up into the red area on an indicator dial, risking permanent damage or catastrophic failure.

"How fast will that thing go ?"

"One fifty five, but after one forty you'll be redlining"

by Eighth of Seven January 8, 2007

MD-80

A long, thin, flying coffin made by McDonnel Douglas. Exists in a number of poisonous variants such as the MD-82. Appalling deep-stall characteristics, ludicrously high landing speed even with full flap, and delightful flame-out prone engines. The design was originated by the Japanese in 1944 as a Kamikaze weapon, but was deemed too unstable and unsafe. Makes pilots wish they were flying something safe and stable, like one of the early Illyushins.

"What the hell's that noise ?"

"Oh, just an MD-80 clawing its way to V1"

by Eighth of Seven October 17, 2008

handle jammed forward

To push an aircraft's engines to emergency full power. May cause permanent engine damage if prolonged beyond a few minutes.

Used to denote someone who is going all-out.

"You busy ?"
"Yup, got the handle jammed forward"

by Eighth of Seven January 8, 2007

five and five

In R/T (radio telephone) parlance, a report on signal strength (1 - 5) and quality (1 - 5).

Hence, "I ready you two and four" means "your signal is weak, but I can hear you clearly".

By inference, "five and five" means "really good" ?

"How's the pizza ?"
"Five and five."

"We dropped into <drinking establishment> - the beer was crap, but the scenery was five and five."

by Eighth of Seven January 9, 2007

Electra glide

A model of motorcycle manufactured by Harley Davidson

"What's that bike ?"

"Owwwww ... that's an original Electra Glide .... monkey see, monkey want ..."

by Eighth of Seven October 16, 2008

running on impulse engines

In the original Star Trek series, whenever the main engines (warp drive) broke down (which was pretty frequent) the Enterprise would only be able to move using "impulse engines" - a low power, sub-lightspeed manouvering system based on a small fusion ram/ion drive.

By inference, someone described as "running on impilse engines" or "impulse power only" is either:

1. Very tired (a.k.a. 'running on empty')

2. Genuinely ill

3. (derog.) Slow and/or stupid.

"Jesus, I've just had to brief the sales guys on the new product.... they're all running on impulse engies up there".

"You want to go for a beer ?"

"No, man, I'm running on impulse engines... got to go home and grab some sleep."

by Eighth of Seven May 24, 2007

oldthinker

A newspeak word invented by george orwell in his book 1984.

An oldthinker is one who clings to old or outmoded ways of thought. Orwell defines it as, "... typical sentence .... as 'Oldthinkers unbellyfeel Ingsoc'. The shortest rendering that one could make of this in Oldspeak would be: 'Those whose ideas were formed before the Revolution cannot have a full emotional understanding of the principles of English Socialism.' But this is not an adequate translation.....

Used by geeks in a perjorative way about anyone who is not techno-savvy.

"My Dad's a real Oldthinker - he won't even have a mobile phone !"

"Come the Revolution, all you Oldthinkers will be put up against a wall and shot !"

by Eighth of Seven January 15, 2007